Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

South Africa: Antisemitism

Baroness Deech: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of South Africa regarding the increased levels of antisemitism in that country and their relation to the government of South Africa's recent policies and statements, including their position on the conflict in Gaza.

Lord Benyon: We recognise that there are heightened tensions around the world due to the conflict in Gaza. Antisemitism has no place in our or any society and we strongly condemn it. We note that President Ramaphosa met with the South African Jewish Board of Deputies and emphasised his government's denunciation of anti-Semitic behaviour towards Jewish people in South Africa. In February, the Foreign Secretary and Lord Ahmad both engaged with Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor on the conflict in Gaza.

Gaza: Children

Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks byLord Cameron of Chipping Norton on 13 February (HL Deb col 140), what assessment they have made ofthe events surrounding the death of Hind Rajab, fellow family members and Red Crescent rescuers; and what steps they plan to take in response.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: This is a horrific incident. It must be fully and transparently investigated by the Israeli authorities. We have consistently stressed the need for Israel to ensure effective deconfliction in Gaza and to take all possible measures to limit its operations to military targets, avoid harming civilians and ensure the safety of medical personnel and facilities. We continue to engage with the Government of Israel at the most senior levels. The most important step in protecting civilians and particularly children will be securing a sustainable ceasefire. That is why the UK has been consistent in calling for an immediate pause, that then progresses towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.

Jimmy Lai

Lord Alton of Liverpool: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer byLord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 14 February (HL2065), whether it remains their position that no British nationals have been named co-conspirators by the prosecution in Jimmy Lai’s National Security Law trial in Hong Kong.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The prosecution in Mr Lai's politically motivated trial has sought to highlight Mr Lai's relationships with foreign nationals; including British nationals. As we have made clear the naming of any British national in this trial is unacceptable. None are named as co-conspirators on Mr Lai's charge sheet. In the prosecution's opening statement British nationals Mr Luke de Pulford and Mr Bill Browder have been referenced as individuals Mr Lai "conspired with" amongst others. In the same statement, Mr Benedict Rogers and Mr de Pulford have been referenced as individuals Mr Lai "collaborated with, gave instructions to and/or relayed or received information among a network of persons acting as agents and/or intermediaries in particular for the purposes of requesting sanctions, etc". The judges in the trial have not yet ruled on the prosecution's claims. The Minister for the Indo-Pacific has met with several of the individuals and we have made clear our concerns to the Chinese authorities.

Gaza: Hospitals

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government whatrepresentations they have made to the government of Israel concerning the operations by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) at Nasser Hospital on 15 February;and whether they have ascertained in any discussions with that government (1) whether the IDF operation located any hostages held by Hamas or evidence of their presence at the hospital, and (2) how many confirmed Hamas terrorists have been apprehended as a result of the IDF operation.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK has raised with Israel the need to limit its operations to military targets, protect health facilities and avoid harming civilians, including when the Prime Minister spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu on 15 February. Specifically in relation to the Nasser Hospital operation, we made it clear that Israel must assist with urgent and safe evacuations of patients from Nasser Hospital where needed.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on 17 February that it had arrested 100 suspects during the Nasser Hospital operation and that they did not find any hostages.

China: Internment

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have made an assessment of the number of internment camps in (1) China, (2) Xinjiang, and (3) Tibet.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK Government closely monitors the human rights situation in China, where people face widespread restrictions and violations on human rights and fundamental freedoms. With regard to the situation in Xinjiang, in 2018 the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination estimated "upwards of a million people were being held in so-called counter-extremism centres and another two million had been forced into what the Chinese refer to as 're-education camps' for political and cultural indoctrination". Regarding Tibet, UN Special Rapporteurs reported in February 2023 that "around a million" Tibetan children had been separated from their families to assimilate them into majority Han culture. The UK Government continues to lead international efforts to hold China to account, including through the UN and bilaterally. The Foreign Secretary raised human rights concerns in his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on 16 February.

Palestinians: Women

Baroness Helic: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the United Nations press releaseUN experts appalled by reported human rights violations against Palestinian women and girls, published on 19 February,concerning findings of reported human rights violations to Palestinian women and girls by Israeli security forces from (1) the Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences, (2) the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, and (3) the Working group on discrimination against women and girls.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK condemns sexual violence unequivocally and without exception. These reports are deeply disturbing. Reports of sexual violence must be fully investigated to ensure justice for survivors and victims.Through our Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict programmes and dedicated funding totalling £60 million, we are leading work internationally to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and strengthen justice and support for all survivors.

Russia: Sequestration of Assets

Lord Anderson of Ipswich: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of Professor Philippa Webb’s report prepared for the European Parliamentary Research Service, Legal options for confiscation of Russian state assets to support the reconstruction of Ukraine, published in February 2024.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The UK, alongside the G7, has underscored that Russia must pay for the damage it has caused to Ukraine. The Government is fully committed to working alongside partners to pursue all lawful routes through which immobilised Russian sovereign assets can be used to support Ukraine. In their 24 February statement, G7 Leaders tasked relevant ministries to continue their work to that end and report back ahead of the G7 Summit in June. The Government will keep the House updated on significant developments as appropriate.

Gaza: Ceasefires

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States regarding whether the United Nations may support a temporary ceasefire in Gaza.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: We engage closely with the US on all aspects of the conflict and we are working closely with our partners, including the US, to deliver an immediate pause to get aid in and hostages out, then progress towards a sustainable, permanent ceasefire, without a return to destruction, fighting and loss of life.

Maxim Kuzminov

The Marquess of Lothian: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the governments of (1) Spain, and (2) Ukraine, concerning the circumstancessurrounding the death of Maxim Kuzminov in Spain in February.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The full details of Maxim Kuzminov's death remain unclear. The UK has reached out to the Spanish authorities to offer support. At this time the UK has not made any representations to the Ukrainian government about this issue.

Nagorno Karabakh: Cultural Heritage

Lord McInnes of Kilwinning: To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they have made to the government of Azerbaijan concerning the protection of the cultural heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon: The preservation of religious and cultural sites in the region is an important issue and we take seriously reports of the destruction of churches or other sites of religious significance. We are aware of allegations from both Armenia and Azerbaijan that cultural and religious sites have been deliberately damaged over the course of the conflict. The British Embassy in Baku has raised the topic of religious and cultural destruction with the Azerbaijani government consistently and at senior level.

Cabinet Office

Stormont Brake

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish each individual EU law and regulation which is outside the scope of the Stormont Brake in Northern Ireland.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe: The scope of the Stormont Brake is provided for in domestic law under the Windsor Framework (Democratic Scrutiny) Regulations 2024. The restoration of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland allowed those regulations to come into force and facilitated new democratic safeguards that would be unavailable to the people of Northern Ireland if the failure of those institutions to function continued. The Government has published clear operational arrangements that underpin the democratic mechanisms contained within the Windsor Framework.

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Food Supply

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the fall in overall domestic food production resulting from the proposed changes in agricultural policies and payments.

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the fall in overall domestic milk production resulting from the proposed changes in agricultural policies and payments.

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the fall in overall domestic lamb production resulting from the proposed changes in agricultural policies and payments.

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the fall in overall domestic barley production resulting from the proposed changes in agricultural policies and payments.

Lord Framlingham: To ask His Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the fall in overall domestic wheat production resulting from the proposed changes in agricultural policies and payments.

Lord Douglas-Miller: The UK has a high degree of food security, built on supply from diverse sources; strong domestic production as well as imports through stable trade routes. We produce 60% of all the food we need, and 73% of food which we can grow or rear in the UK for all or part of the year. These figures have changed little over the last 20 years: historical production figures, including for the commodities you reference, can be found in “Agriculture in the United Kingdom”, a publication of annual statistics about agriculture in the United Kingdom at GOV.UK. UK consumers have access through international trade to food products that cannot be produced here, or at least not on a year-round basis. This supplements domestic production, and also ensures that any disruption from risks such as adverse weather or disease does not affect the UK's overall security of supply. Domestically, the Government has committed to broadly maintain the current level of food we produce. This includes sustainably boosting production in sectors where there are post-Brexit opportunities, including horticulture and seafood, and the Agriculture Act imposes a duty on the Secretary of State to have regard to the need to encourage environmentally sustainable food production. Our farming reforms aim to support a highly productive food producing sector by supporting farmers to manage land in a way that improves food production and is more environmentally sustainable, and by paying farmers to produce public goods such as water quality, biodiversity, animal health and welfare and climate change mitigation, alongside food production. Speaking at the recent National Farmers Union Conference in Birmingham, the Prime Minister and the Environment Secretary announced a range of measures to boost productivity and resilience in the sector, including the largest ever grant offer for farmers in the coming financial year, expected to total £427 million. This includes doubling investment in productivity schemes, bolstering schemes such as the Improving Farming Productivity grant, which provides support for farmers to invest in automation and robotics, as well as solar installations to build on-farm energy security. The Prime Minister also announced a new annual UK-wide Food Security Index, which will capture and present the data needed to monitor levels of food security, and announced plans to hold the Farm to Fork Summit annually.

Peatlands: Environment Protection

Baroness Hayman of Ullock: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the reply byLord Douglas-Miller on 22 February (HL Deb col 701), what assessment they have made of the merits of returning peatland sites to fully functioning bog habitat, including by limiting burning regimes.

Lord Benyon: In 2021, peatlands emitted 2% of UK net greenhouse gas emissions. When in a restored state, peatlands accumulate and store carbon, making them a vital tool in climate regulation and achieving the Government’s Net Zero goals. Full restoration of peatland habitats delivers on each of our natural capital objectives - locking up carbon, restoring biodiversity, preserving heritage sites, minimising wildfire hazards, and improving water regulation and quality. This Government is committed to restoring these precious environments. There are a variety of restoration methods used to restore our peat. We seek to minimise the use of burning as a tool for restoration and therefore only permit burning in specific circumstances when it is being conducted in the right place and for the right reasons. Our Heather and Grass etc Burning (England) Regulations 2021 limit the instances when burning is permitted, and data from the Moorland Change Map suggests a decline in burning on moorlands since the introduction of the Regulations.

Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities

First Time Buyers and Private Rented Housing

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking (1) to promotehousing affordability and stability for renters, and (2) to support first-time buyers.

Baroness Scott of Bybrook: This Government is committed to delivering a better deal for renters, improving the private rented sector for responsible tenants and good landlords.The Renters (Reform) Bill was introduced in Parliament on 17 May 2023 and will deliver the government’s commitments. The Bill increases security of tenure for tenants by abolishing section 21 evictions. The new tenancy system will also reassure tenants that, apart from in specific circumstances set out in legislation, their rented home is theirs for as long as they want.We continue to work towards our ambition of delivering 300,000 homes per year to help create a more sustainable and affordable housing market. Individuals who need help to make rent payments may be eligible for financial support through the welfare system. From April 2024, we will invest £1.2 billion restoring Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates to the 30th percentile of local market rents. For others who face a shortfall, Discretionary Housing Payments are available from local authorities; the Government has provided almost £1.7 billion of this funding to local authorities since 2011.The Renters (Reform) Bill (pdf, 87.3KB)

Department of Health and Social Care

Autism: Health Services

Baroness Browning: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effectiveness of the dynamic support register andCare (Education) and Treatment Review policy for autistic people without a learning difficulty in (1) preventing hospital admissions, and (2) speeding up hospital discharges.

Baroness Browning: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure thatCare (Education) and Treatment Reviews are taking place within recommended timeframes, and that recommendations arising from those reviews are being acted on.

Lord Markham: NHS England published updated policy and guidance on both Care (Education) and Treatment Reviews (C(E)TRs) and Dynamic Support Registers (DSRs) on 25 January 2023, for implementation from 1 May 2023, to help ensure people get the support they need to stay well in their communities. This includes guidance on the timescales for C(E)TRs and on ensuring that actions are taken forward.NHS England produced the updated policy and guidance following a process of reviewing the learning since the inception of C(E)TRs and DSRs, including consultation and engagement with people with lived experience. This process included drawing on the findings of the Norfolk Safeguarding Adults Board’s review of the deaths of Joanna, Jon and Ben at Cawston Park in Norfolk, and the subsequent safe and wellbeing reviews for all people with a learning disability and autistic people in mental health hospitals.

Attorney General

Low Emission Zones: Greater London

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask His Majesty's Government what action is being taken by prosecuting authorities againstthose who incite others to cover up cameras in the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Lord Stewart of Dirleton: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is responsible for prosecuting cases which have been referred to them following an investigation by the police. The CPS will consider a prosecution for any case involving incitement to cause criminal damage or criminal damage to Ultra Low Emission Zone cameras under the Code for Crown Prosecutors.

Low Emission Zones: Greater London

Lord Campbell-Savours: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have issued guidance for prosecuting those who incite othersto cover up cameras in the Ultra Low Emission Zone.

Lord Stewart of Dirleton: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has not issued specific guidance on prosecuting those who incite others to cover up cameras in the Ultra Low Emission Zone.These offences would be covered by existing guidance on inchoate offences, Theft Act offences, and offences during protests, demonstrations or campaigns. The existing guidance is available on the CPS website: Inchoate Offences; Theft Act Offences; and Offences during Protests, Demonstrations or Campaigns.

Treasury

Mortgages: Interest Rates

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to assess any correlation between recent increases in swap rates and rising mortgage rates.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: While the pricing of mortgages is a commercial decision for lenders in which the Government does not intervene, we regularly monitor swap rates and mortgage rates. We are also regularly in contact with mortgage lenders on all aspects of their mortgage business to understand their position and current lending conditions.

Small Businesses: Bank Services

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government, following reports that many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have had their bank accounts closed, what steps they are taking to ensure SMEs have continued access to banking services.

Baroness Vere of Norbiton: While the decisions about what products are offered to individual businesses remain commercial decisions for banks and building societies, the Government recognises the vital role SMEs play in fuelling economic growth, and it is important they can access the banking services they need. Last year the Chancellor asked the FCA to collect evidence to help the Government understand where account closures and refusals are happening and why. The FCA are now doing further work to better understand the reasons behind account refusals.The Government is also acting to increase customer protections, increasing the minimum notice period in cases of contract termination to 90 days – giving customers more time to challenge a decision through the Financial Ombudsman Service, or find a replacement service – and requiring providers to spell out to affected customers why they are terminating their contract. Both requirements will be subject to certain exceptions, including if to do so would be unlawful.

Department for Education

Home Education

Lord Watson of Invergowrie: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the survey results published by Schools Week on 21 February which found that the rate at which children left the classroom for home education in 2022–23 showed a 12 per cent increase on 2021–22, with the biggest increases in some of the country’s most deprived areas.

Baroness Barran: The department has collected termly data on home educated children from local authorities on a voluntary basis since October 2022. This collection has achieved a high response rate to date, and the department has received data from all local authorities in England. The aggregate-level data collected has helped the department to understand numbers of electively home-educated children on a local level.Analysis of the data is allowing the department to understand the drivers behind the rise in home education and to take action where the decision has been made for reasons other than providing a suitable education for children. This data is available at: https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/elective-home-education. It has been published up until the Autumn census day in October 2023.It is to be noted that the department’s data collection measures all children who are in home education, whereas Schools Week’s data measures only those who were previously enrolled at a school using a lower range of local authorities’ data as a sample.The government remains committed to legislation for a local authority registration system for children not in school. My hon. Fried, the Member for Meon Valley, introduced the Children Not in School (Registers, Support and Orders) Private Members’ Bill on 11 December 2023. The Bill’s Second Reading is scheduled for 15 March 2024. The government looks forward to working with her as she progresses her Bill.

Home Education: Registration

Baroness Eaton: To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to introduce a register of children outside of school.

Baroness Barran: The government remains committed to legislating for a local authority registration system for children not in school, as well as placing a duty on local authorities to provide support to home educating families.My hon. Friend, the Member for Meon Valley, introduced the Children Not in School (Registers, Support and Orders) Private Members’ Bill on 11 December 2023. The Bill’s Second Reading is scheduled for 15 March 2024. The government is working with her as she progresses her Bill.In the meantime, the department continues to work with local authorities to improve their non-statutory registers; analyse local authority data from the voluntary elective home education and children missing collection to build a more accurate picture of the landscape.The department has also held a consultation on revising its elective home education guidance for local authorities and parents. This consultation closed on 18 January 2024 and the department will publish its response and revised guidance in due course.

Department for Transport

Road Safety Investigation Branch

Lord Berkeley: To ask His Majesty's Government what progress they have made in setting up theRoad Safety Investigation Branch.

Lord Davies of Gower: The Government introduced the Automated Vehicles Bill to Parliament, which moved to the other place on 20 February. This includes proposed legislation to enable the creation of a capability within my department to investigate safety incidents involving at least one self-driving vehicle.

Electric Vehicles: Charging Points and Parking

Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb: To ask His Majesty's Government whatconsideration they have given to issuing guidance on the placement and design of (1) electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and (2) micromobility parking provision.

Lord Davies of Gower: All EV drivers should be able to easily find public chargepoints they can use, and accessibility should be embedded in public chargepoint design from the outset. The Government and industry sponsored, Publicly Available Standard (PAS) 1899 provides specifications on the placement, design and installation of accessible public EV chargepoints. The Government has extended its e-scooter trials until May 2026 to enable us to build on current learning across areas including usage, safety, parking provision and environmental impacts. The Department’s guidance for local authorities and operators taking part in trials sets out that appropriate parking provision should be provided to ensure e-scooters do not become obstructive.

Northern Ireland Office

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown: To ask His Majesty's Government, following the judgment of the High Court in Northern Ireland on 28 February, whether they will proceed with implementation of the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Lord Caine: We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones. The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, including those in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework. The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, and is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to appeal the ruling of the High Court of 28 February on parts of the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Lord Caine: The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, and is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord Weir of Ballyholme: To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to introduce any further legislation in response to the High Court ruling of 28 February on parts of the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023.

Lord Caine: The Government welcomes the Court’s findings that the ICRIR is operationally independent from Government and has the necessary powers to carry out reviews in accordance with the state’s obligations with Articles 2 and 3 of the ECHR. The Government has considered all aspects of the judgment, and is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government whether the statement in paragraph 46 of the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper 1021 that “the Windsor Framework applies only in respect of the trade in goods” is compatible with the High Court judgment of 28 February that the immunity provisions in the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are contrary to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework.

Lord Caine: The Government stands by its position on Article 2 which was set out in the Safeguarding the Union Command Paper. Article 2 of the Framework does not apply EU law or ECJ jurisdiction, and only applies in respect of rights set out in the relevant chapter of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and a diminution of those rights which arises as a result of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. We will be challenging the High Court's determination of the Article 2 issues to that end.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made the High Court judgment of 28 February that the conditional immunity provisions in the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are disapplied because of the supremacy of EU law in Northern Ireland.

Lord Caine: We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones. Following consideration of all aspects of the judgment, including those in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, the Government is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal.

Northern Ireland Troubles (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023

Lord Dodds of Duncairn: To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the practical effect of the High Court judgment of 28 February that the conditional immunity provisions in the Northern Ireland (Legacy and Reconciliation) Act 2023 are contrary to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework and Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Lord Caine: Following consideration of all aspects of the judgment, including those in relation to Article 2 of the Windsor Framework, the UK Government is applying for an appeal with the Northern Ireland Court of Appeal. We remain committed to implementing the Legacy Act and delivering the ICRIR to provide better outcomes for victims and survivors of the Troubles by giving them more information about what happened to their loved ones.

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

Artificial Intelligence: Equality

Lord Taylor of Warwick: To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the developers of artificial intelligence technologies concerning how they verify the accuracy of their outputs, particularly with regard to racial and gender bias.

Viscount Camrose: Preventing bias and ensuring the accuracy of AI outputs are essential for building public trust in AI and encouraging its adoption and growth. The Government engaged with AI developers through our AI Regulation White Paper consultation and the response published this month, which details how we are protecting UK citizens from AI-related bias. The Government launched the Fairness Innovation Challenge, granting over £465,000 to support the development of socio-technical solutions to address bias in AI. We published the 'Introduction to AI Assurance', guide for AI developers and deployers, which outlines how techniques like bias audits can help verify AI systems.